Thirty

I'll admit it. It's been a little harder than I thought. The tears are drying and I've managed to swallow the lump in my throat though. I'm coming to grips with the fact that my twenties are over. My 'somewhat older' friends have assured me that their thirties have been far better for them and I'm hoping to find the same. I mean, I don't feel any older but my knees and back aren't exactly confirming 'youth' in the morning either. I know that aging doesn't happen overnight, but perhaps I'm listening to my knees and back more since my birthday. 'Oh, so what you've been trying to tell me, even before now, is that I'm getting older, eh?' And they answer confidently with a few cracks and pops. Well, I am what I am. Now my 'even older' friends right now are smiling and thinking, 'What a jackass! Thirty?! Give me a break!' So, here's a toast to that sentiment. I'm moving forward now and looking to the bright side of life's midday.

Alright, whistling to that tune I'll confess that I am getting to experience so many neat things lately. A couple of weekends ago, I flew Cheryl and a friend of ours to Texas to see some family. It was so cool to be flying along, look down, and see the Mississippi River passing below. Then, to sit down that evening for dinner with family that we always wish we could see more often. . . . wow. It was such a good visit. And let's not forget to mention the bbq! Okay, thirty is not too bad so far.

The Mighty Mississippi

From Left - Granddaddy Nolden, Cheryl, Granny Nolden, Aaron (Cheryl's brother), me, and Mike Stap, our friend from Falcon.